Folding table for the use of paper-hangers



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

G. H. BOYSEN. FOLDING TABLE FOR THE USE OF PAPER HANGERS.

No. 396,531. Patented Jan. 22, 1889.

Georgoflfioysen YE Mimosa as,

(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. H. BOYSEN.

FOLDING TABLE'FOR THE USE OF PAPER HANGERS. No. 396,531. Patented Jan. 22, 1889.: v

N. rnzns-Phomm m. Wnhinglon. n. a

FFICEQ GEORGE H. BOYSEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING TABLE FOR THE USE OF PAPER-HANGERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,531, dated January 22, 1889.

Application filed April 18, 1888. Serial No. 271,083. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE ll. BovsEN, of Philadelphia, in the county of Phila-dephia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables for the Use of Paper-Hangers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce a folding table for the useof paper-hangers which can be folded very compactly to facilifate its transportation, and which can be quickly and readily set up when it is to be used. The table when in use has on its up per surface two longitudinally-extending metallic plates of soft metal, which constitute the cutting -surfaces on which the paper is cut. The paper when spread on said table is cut, according to the requirements of the case,

by a rotary cutter of hard metal used in connection with a straightedged ruler. The edge of the ruler is placed upon the paper above one of the metallic strips on the table, and with this as a guide the rotary cutter in the hand of the operator is drawn along the paper against the edge of the ruler above the metallic plate, thus insuring a clean and accurate 'cut. The table folds in a manner somewhat similar to a checker-board, the legs of the table folding completely within the covers formed by the top of the table, and the top of the table on its under side is provided with means for retaining in position the ruler and the rotary cutting-tool.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table set up ready for use. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the under side of the table with the legs folded and ready to be closed. Fig. 3 is across-section of the table in a plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Figs. l and 5 are detailed views of the cutting implement.

The table, which is about six feet long by two feet wide, is composed of a top which is longitudinally divided in its center into two folding parts, A A, hinged together by hinges a a. Each folding part or sect-ion A has on its bottom downwardly-projecting strips 12 l) on all four edges, so that when the two sections A A are folded together they will constitute a hollow box.

Each section has on its upper side anarrow metallic strip, 13, of soft metalsuch as zinc, brass, or copper-which extends the entire length of the section and constitutes the cutting-surface for the paper. These metallic strips are preferably countersunk in the surfaces of the sections, so that their upper surfaces are flush with the upper surface of the table in order to give a neat and finished appearance thereto.

The table is supported by four legs, 0 0, two of which are hinged beneath each section by means of hinges c 0, so that when folded two legs fold within each section, the two legs in each section having their ends just meeting each other when folded, as shown in Fig. 2. \Vhen the 'table set up ready for use, each leg is held firmly in place by means of a small metallic rod, D, which is hinged at one end to the bottom side of the section A, and has on its other end a hook, (I, which engages an eye, 6, on the leg. The legs are further braced, and the two sections are prevented from folding when the table is in use by cross-braces E E between the legs at each end of the table. Each of these braces has 011 its ends small projections ff, which enter apertures g g on adjacent sides of the two legs, so thatgvhen the braces are in position the legs are held at a fixed distance apart. lVhen the legs are folded into the sections A A preparatory to folding the sections together, two of the legs on one of the sections are held firmly in position by a pivoted button, F, on the under side of the section. This button turns over the meeting ends of the folded legs and maintains them in position, while the section to which they are attached is folded down over the other section.

It will be observed that the legs on one section are placed close to the outer edge thereof, whereas on the other section the legs are placed in a central position rather nearer to the hinged part between the two sections, so that when the sections are folded together the legs on the two sections will be nested side by side, thus insuring compactness.

By means of this construction and arrangement I am enabled to make the legs 0 C of sufficient thickness to render the-table firm and strong when in use, and at the same time render the table when folded compact and of the minimum thickness. The legs 0 C are of a thickness greater than the distance which the strips 1) 1) project beneath the under surface of the table, as shown in Fig. 3; but owing to the described side-by-side arrangement of the legs of the two sections when the same are folded the legs are completely inelosed by the strips 1) b, since the strips of one section meet those of the other section when the table is folded. A holding-button like 1. is needed on one section only, since the legs on the other section will be retained in position by their own weight.

G is the ruler, which is used for cutting the paper, and which is graduated into feet and inches, so as to be used for measuring as well as a guide for the rotary cutter. \Vhen the table is folded, this ruler is placed lei'lgthwise within one of the sections A, and is retained in place therein by means of pivoted but ons h h. \Vhen the table is in use, a rest is formed to hold the ruler by means of hooks S S, placed on two of the legs.

The cutting implement consists of a handle, H, in the lower end of which is journaled a rotary cutting-wheel, I, of a hard metal, such as tempered steel. In the handle are cut a longitudinal slot, 1', and at least one circular aperture, j, by means of which the cutter is retained in position on one of the sections A when the table is to be folded, the table being formed with a fixed stud, 7r, which passes through the circular aperture j, andwith a pivoted button, I, which passes through the slot i, and on being turned holds the cutter in place while the table is folded and transported. \Vith this table all the necessary articles for use in hanging wall-paper are held and transported in a very compact manner, and the table with the cutting-tool constitute an exceedingly efficient mechanism for the cutting of the paper. By means of cutting with the rotary cutter against a metallic surface the paper can be very accurately, neatly, and quickly cut, and since the cutting-tool, which is of tempered. steel, cuts upon a softer metal it never requires sharpening, and the paper is never torn during the process of cutting.

I claim as my invention The folding and hinged longitudinal sections A A, having downwardly projecting strips Z) Z), in combimttion with the folding legs (I 0, each of which is thicker than the distance which the said strips 1) Z) project beneath said sections A A, two of which legs arehinged to the under side of each section, the legs on one side being hinged to their section close to the edge thereof, and the legs on the other section being hinged centrally thereto, sub

'stantially as set forth, so that when the sections are folded together the legs will be nested therein, the legs of one section lying side by side with the legs of the other section. v

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. H. BOYSEN. \Vitnesses:

GEORGE L. BATTERSBY, JOHN GRIFFITH. 

